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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Interview and Giveaway with Leta Gail Doerr



Welcome to Roxanne's Realm, Leta.

Hi Roxanne! Thank you so much for hosting me today and for being a super-woman! I am so impressed with Bewitching Book Tours, and I’m thankful for all that you do.

Thank you, I love working with authors and helping get the word out about their books. 

Let's get started with your interview

1.    How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

The title, For the Love of Big Orange, came from a key character- a bright orange pick-up truck.  Lacie Joe’s foster-father brought home the rusty old truck and through a long process, they rebuilt it together.  The one thing Lacie Joe truly cherishes at the opening of her book is Big Orange, although her perception does change as the story unfolds.
“Today, Big Orange, we are that somebody,” I say as I finish with a pat, the same way Judge used to. I know she’s not an animal like a cat or a cow, but she’s all mine. Besides, she’s the only thing, living or dead, that I’ve ever really formed a lasting bond with.”    
  
2.    Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?

I always come up with the title first. I find that it helps me shape the story and set the overall tone.  The title may change, but the general idea usually remains the same.

3.    Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Yes! For the Love of Big Orange has a few messages I hope will resonate with readers.  First, I am an advocate of fostering older children.  There are group homes across the country with children in their tweens and teens that come from broken families for one reason or another.  While these resources are invaluable, the comforts of home, family and a space to call their own cannot be replaced.

The second message is about life and choices.  We wake up every day with a fresh option to make better choices. Just because yesterday may have been a banner day for bad choices, doesn’t mean that a different path can’t be paved in a new direction, one good choice at a time. 


4.    What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

I’m working on the next two books in the Bluegrass Novella Series.  The second title, To Have Mercy, will be released in early-summer.  The third, Finding Justice, later this fall.

5.    Can you share a little of your current work with us?

Like Big Orange, the characters are young adults who’ve come from diverse and troubling backgrounds.  The hero in To Have Mercy is Jacks, who befriends Mercy Lynn who is a spunky roadside diner waitress.  The two set off in an adventure in search of clues in order to piece together Jacks past.

6.    Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I enjoy Kristan Higgins books.  Her wit and story-lines are down-to-earth and her voice is hilarious!  

7.    Who designed the cover of your latest book?

MeJ I’m a software geek, I love, love, love technology and tinkering around with software.  I also love photos and editing.  I’ve invested in tools and technology to create my own covers.  I will also do covers for other authors, so if you know anyone who may be looking, please send them my way;)

8.    Do you have any advice for other writers?

It’s very easy to get caught-up in the marketing and social media aspects of promoting your work.  I too have fallen victim to ignoring my manuscripts thinking that I needed to promote, promote, promote.  Veteran writers and those who’ve listened will all say the same thing. You are an author. So write. The other stuff will come with time and attention, but without products to sell and build your brand, focusing on marketing too soon, or without the proper resources is useless if you aren’t focused on what truly matters – your novel!

9.    Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that you think represents this book?

Do I? Of course, here’s the link.  Please check it outJ



April 26 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.  

April 27 Interview
Roxanne’s  Realm

April 28 Guest blog and review
4 the LUV of SANITY

April 29 Guest blog and review
The Book Maven

April 30 Guest blog
Mochas, Mysteries and More

May 1 Interview and review
What's Beyond Forks?

May 2 Spotlight and review
Faerie Tale Books

May 3 Interview
Fandom Fanatic





For the Love of Big Orange
Bluegrass Country Novella, Book One
Leta Gail Doerr
         
ASIN: B00BFLDZBE

Number of pages:  127
Word Count: 43,500


Book Description:

They say you can never go home. Well, Lacie Joe Jensen never wanted to.

Lacie Joe left small town Kentucky for the big city lights and never looked back. Until now. Her ailing foster-father needs her, his memory is failing. But townsfolk remember all too well the troubles Lacie Joe caused as a youth, and they're not afraid to remind her.

Lacie Joe has a few allies in town, for starters, ex-boyfriend turned police officer Jay Hayworth. Jay's kept the fire burning for Lacie during her long absence. He's one of the bright spots in Lacie's troublesome past, him and her truck, Big Orange. A suspicious accident forced Lacie Joe to leave town, Jay steps in to remind Lacie she no longer has the right to remain silent.

About the Author:
         
Leta Gail is a small town girl with big dreams, who shares her life with her husband, son, and little dog Kimmy. She enjoys exercise, (as if), planning family vacations, dreaming up places to go with her husband, reading, tinkering with computer software, and watching her son grow.

She is a Project Manager by day working in Information Technology, who moonlights as a writer. She has a monthly column, Blonde Bytes, in a women's publication- Pastelle Magazine, where she writes about fun geeky stuff.

She loves to write about great friendships and deep emotions. She finds the humor in everyday life and creates believable characters she hopes her readers will enjoy. She likes story lines like, life after divorce, strong-willed women making their mark on the world, and finding love in unexpected places. She also enjoys writing tales that salute our nation's heroes.

She enjoys the super support of her husband and inquisitive son while she dreams big and "shoots for the moon", as her husband so aptly states.


Twitter: @LiteraryBlonde


Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomletagaildoerr






5 comments:

RT Wolfe said...

Love the cover and love the book! A must read. :)
-R.T. Wolfe

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by R.T!

Roxanne Rhoads said...

great interview, thanks for stopping by- and for the very awesome giveaway- love the handmade prizes. I'm eying that coin purse ;-)

Debby said...

I love the dish clothes. My mother makes them but she give them to everyone but me. Love the color orange.
debby236 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Hello!
Roxanne, thanks so much for hosting me today. AND, your author services are top notch. Dare I say it...You aren't charging enough!!!!

Hi Debby,
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. My mother makes lots of dischcloths. She is so talented and crafty. She made the orange ones special for this tour. If you are interested, and your name isn't drawn, just email me. She accepts orders. Thank you for your interested and support of Big Orange.